Schools across Bradford are building on the passion for sport, inspired by the 2012 Olympics.

Many are signing up for specialised tuition in physical activities, an area which continues to see increased enthusiasm from children of all ages since the summer games.

Bradford-based Pro-Active Sports, which provides coaching sessions for youngsters and adults across West Yorkshire, has seen the number of schools signing up for extra activities and coaching sessions rocket from just one to more than 100 since the business was founded six years ago, and more are getting in touch following the success of the games.

“Schools are becoming more aware of how important sports and physical activity is,” says Rowland Egege, who set up the company with fellow athlete Bobby Singh, “Studies have shown that taking part in physical activity improves a person's self-esteem and reduces anxiety and stress. It can also help to improve behaviour and increase a student’s capacity for learning.”

Coach Clifton Robinson teaches PE classes at St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School in St Paul’s Avenue, Wibsey, and has noticed an Olympic-effect upon his pupils, which shows no sign of abating.

“They definitely seem more interested, there is still a real buzz, particularly when we are doing athletics – that has really taken off. The Olympics, with the success of competitors like Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis, has really raised awareness of what is possible. The children look forward to their sessions and are keen to show what they can do.”

Head teacher at the school Maureen Cairns says the games inspired the children and curriculum work in mathematics and English had been based around the Olympics.

“This cross-curricular work really motivates them and Pro-Active Sport have been brilliant in working with our staff to create this approach. It helps them to do better in all subjects, particularly maths and English.”

The success of team GB in the Olympics should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ to the value of school sport, the National Association of Head Teachers said following the games.

A wide range of sports should be made available and time set aside in the curriculum for every child to find the sport they are good at, they added.

The National Association of Headteachers general secretary Russell Hobby said they would like to see the Government encouraging children to keep fit and find ways of doing so by encouraging an increase in the range of sports available.

With a 30-strong team of experienced staff, Pro-Active Sports teaches a range of activities including athletics, gymnastics, football, basketball, tennis and martial arts. They also run affordable summer sports camps and challenging sport boot camps.

Professional rugby player Chris Clough, who played for Keighley Cougars and now coaches for Pro-Active, helped to run a summer sports camp that coincided with the Olympics.

“One of the children was a little overweight and not particularly interested, but as time went on he got really into it and now wants to join a team,” he says.

Adds Lauren Batty, who coaches in dance and drama, adds: “It is so important to invest in young people and give them opportunities. I used to have sporting role models, and now I am a role model.

“Sport can do wonders for self-esteem. When you teach a child to catch a ball for the first time and see the look on their face, it is amazing.”

Rowland and Bobby used to work for Bradford Council on a contract basis, but demand for their skills was such that they decided to go it alone.

“We were asked so many times by primary and secondary school teachers, whether we could do additional sessions that we went freelance,” says Rowland.

They were helped through the Council-run competition Enterprise Island, and the Council’s business support body Bradford Kickstart, plus cash from business and enterprise provider ATL on Manningham Lane.

Says Rowland, who hopes to roll out the sports coaching programme nationally: “It is vital to nurture a love of physical activity early in a child’s life. I was coached when I was young and have never lost my interest in sports. The effect of the Olympics was such that even those people who had no interest in sport became interested.”

The business has worked in partnership with the Council’s inclusion team to deliver sports and health programmes to ‘at-risk’ young people aged 13 to 19, and also works with the youth services localities programme as part of the Council’s positive activities programme.